SPIRIT OF ERNST & SUSAN WAGNER AWARD
The Spirit of Ernst & Susan Wagner award began in 2019 and is presented each year during the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival. This award was established to honor individuals, businesses, non profits or service clubs that have given back to our community to make it a better place to live.
By 1905 Wenatchee had established itself as a major Apple growing area. In 1907 Ernst Wagner read about exports of fruit to the Pacific. Because he refused to sell his apples at 20 cents a case he shipped 3000 cases to Seattle where he contacted a shipping agent who allowed him to ship the apples to Australia and be paid out of the proceeds. His apples met with great success in Australia and sold for $10,000. While he was on holiday he visited other dealers in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. He returned with signed contracts for 27,000 cases and rumor has it he is shipped 35,000 in the following year. Ernst met his second wife in New Zealand and Sue moved to Wenatchee. Sue was born in New Zealand and she and her four sisters were brought up running country hotels. By the time she reached her early teens she was well versed at running a business. We believe that starting the Apple Blossom Festival was not a mirror of a festival that she had seen in New Zealand, but a way of making women visible and marking their largely unrecognized contribution to the growth of America. 1920 was the perfect year to start the Festival. The year that American women got to vote. Susan Wagner was a pioneer / founder of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival and continued to be involved with the Festival for 25 years. Ernst died in 1948 and Sue in 1953. Both left a large legacy for the people of the Town they lived, Wenatchee, home of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival.
When this award was established, it was determined that it should be presented to an individual/business/non profit/service club in North Central Washington who contributes to improving our community. The following criteria to be taken into consideration when determining the award recipient.
An individual who has consistently exemplified the highest standards of professional excellence and achieved business success throughout his or her career, helps others succeed, and/or provides educational opportunities.
An individual who has been an inspiration and leader to others in our community throughout their career. Their impact has benefited beyond the individual’s company.
An individual who is recognized not only throughout the industry, but throughout the community for ongoing participation in activities important to the people of North Central Washington.
An individual whose inspiring leadership encourages others to learn and grow while supporting their volunteer participation in the community.
2023 RECIPIENT, GENE SHARRATT
Gene served as the Superintendent of the North Central ESD. Under Gene’s leadership, the NCESD grew into one of the most highly regarded educational institutions in the state.
Just a few of the valued community institutions that Gene helped to establish include : the Festival of Trees, the Kids First campaign, the Wenatchee Technology Center and our own nationally recognized Mariachi Northwest Festival. Having served as a paratrooper in Vietnam, a project that was very close to Gene’s heart was the Honor by Listening campaign, where students interviewed veterans of World War II. Gene and others organized the Vietnam POW “Return with Honor” visit and interviews, resulting in the book, “Return with Honor.” Gene was also responsible for Intermountain Americorps’ volunteers, who tutored children in 29 districts, including our valley. Gene’s latest campaign is Kindness Counts North Central Washington, striving to count 2,023 acts of kindness in our area!
